It saddens me to see how many people are just dumping their horses because of the drought. I have spent lots of time searching for hay over the last few weeks. The number of adds I have seen is steadily increasing..horses less than $200 OBO. I cringe at how many will end up in horrific situations but starving at the hands of someone who won't even try is just as bad. Just makes me very sad. I have seen 5 adds with 10plus horses total just in the last couple hours. I am trying every thing in my power not to let mine go hungry..dumping them has never been considered..after all they depend on me (sounds corny but wonder if they know how lucky they are to be here with me!)

Eclipse, I think we are just beginning to see a deluge of horses hit the market/rescues. At least these people are advertising for new homes, instead of just dumping them out in forests and parks or farm communities for people to find. I told my hubby today that even though we have enough hay for us, we need to get more for next year just in case we get hit in west central Missouri with another drought or a flood in 2013. One year's worth just doesn't make me feel secure anymore.

Yep, you are so right Ladytrails. Its my soft side..wish I could take more in but I just can't. I am Central Mid Missouri & it is not as bad as South. It feels much more dyer this year for some reason..I think we will be ok. I have been able store quite a bit. But I am still working on it. And of course, you are right..stray horses..nightmare! I don;t know how much room the shelters have if that starts happening. Longmeadow is a big facility here but its always running at high capacity!

Here too, the hay is going to be scarce and I cringe to think of the reports of dumped horses and pathetic craig's list ads.

In a way I am very glad we haven't got the property ready to bring our two horses home this winter I know I'd end up with more than just the two I have. Mental note to self...must break habit of reading CL "just to see what's out there."

Which is why I limit myself to three, Dim. I can afford to keep three horses, but no more.

These are the people who should be selling at auction if they can't find homes for them, or can't afford to have them euthed. I'd rather the horses have a chance, even if it's a smidgen of one, rather than being dumped to fend for themselves and be assured of a sad, pathetic, and frightening end.

Attempting to sell a horse is not "dumping" it even if the ad is horribly pathetic. Dumping a horse is opening the gate and shooing it out.

You have no idea what these people are going through. I only have one horse and am struggling to buy the hay he needs. I can guarantee you that if I had to choose between feeding him and feeding my kids that I too would be writing up a sale ad and if I got desperate enough, he'd go to auction. I won't let my kids go hungry so I can own a "pet".

I'm with you SR... I have lots and lots and lots of acreage but dead grass doesn't feed horses, so I certainly won't be bringing any more home.

Delfina, I meant dumping as in turning them loose...it has happened here before and I expect it to happen again this winter as the hay crop has all but failed here and prices are already going up. They don't just turn unwanted horse loose, sometimes they are a bit more "subtle". A friend of a friend had 3 horses just "appear" in her pasture one night, all of them bone thin and sick

Lady trails, while it will make you feel more secure, Is it right to hoard the hay for next year, "just in case". While I have thought the same thing, I always am concerened with the what ifs, I have only enough for this year, because I know that every extra bale I have in my barn for next year takes it from those who really need it this year.

While I'm not hoarding horse quality hay (because I can't find or afford one more blade than absolutely needed) I have 8tons of cow hay and I probably only need 2 since I just sold half my steer and they want him processed pretty soon. I'm hoarding it because it's bottom bale hay (1600lb bales) and I can cut the bottoms off the bales and feed the top to horses. PIA but if I NEED to, I can.

This also means I can hopefully pick up a few really cheap steers to fatten and feed my family with.

Is it really "hoarding" or making smart decisions? It's not like any of my hay is going to get wasted, that's for sure and if a neighbor really NEEDED hay, I'd be hauling a bale over with my tractor.

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